Role of K+ channels in augmented relaxations to sodium nitroprusside induced by mexiletine in rat aortas

Abstract

Background: A class Ib antiarrhythmic drug, mexiletine, augments relaxations produced by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) sensitive K+ channel openers in isolated rat aortas, suggesting that it produces changes in the vasodilation mediated by ATP-sensitive K+ channels. Nitric oxide can induce its vasodilator effect via K+ channels, including ATP-sensitive K+ channels, in smooth muscle cells. Effects of mexiletine on arterial relaxations to nitric oxide donors, have not been studied. Therefore, the current study in isolated rat aortas was designed to (1) evaluate whether mexiletine augments relaxation in response to nitric oxide donors, including sodium nitroprusside, and (2) determine the role of K+ channels in mediating effects of mexiletine on such nitric oxide-mediated relaxation.

Methods: Rings of rat aortas without endothelia were suspended for isometric force recording. Concentration-response curves of sodium nitroprusside (10(-10) to 10(-5) M) and 1-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-(N-methyl-3-aminopropyl)-3-methyl-1-triazene (NOC-7; 10(-9) to 10(-5) M) were obtained in the absence and in the presence of mexiletine, in combination with a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3,-a]quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ), or inhibitors for ATP-sensitive K+ channels (glibenclamide), inward rectifier K+ channels (BaCl2), delayed rectifier K+ channels (4-aminopyridine), large conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channels (iberiotoxin), or small conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channels (apamin).

Results: Mexiletine (10(-5) or 3 x 10(-5) M) augmented relaxations to sodium nitroprusside and NOC-7. In arteries treated with glibenclamide (10(-5) M), mexiletine (3 x 10(-5) M) did not affect relaxations to nitric oxide donors, whereas mexiletine augmented relaxations to sodium nitroprusside despite the presence of BaCl2 (10(-5) M), 4-aminopyridine (10(-3) M), iberiotoxin (5 x 10(-8) M) and apamin (5 x 10(-8) M). Relaxations to sodium nitroprusside were abolished by ODQ (5 x 10(-6) M), whereas these relaxations were augmented by mexiletine (3 x 10(-5) M) in arteries treated with ODQ (5 x 10(-6) M).

Conclusions: These results suggest that ATP-sensitive K+ channels in vascular smooth muscle, contribute to the augmented vasodilator effect of a nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside induced by mexiletine, and that the vasodilator effect is produced, at least in part, via the guanylate cyclase-independent mechanism.